Gas connection doubts resurface

The Victorian Opposition has again questioned the State Government's ability to connect Lakes Entrance and Orbost to reticulated natural gas.

Last year, the Opposition said there was not enough interest in the Government's $100 million bounty to take on the project.

This week, the company best placed to roll out the network in Gippsland, Envestra, said the Government has not said if more money will be offered.

Labor's regional and rural development spokeswoman, Jacinta Allen, says the Government should reassure people by revealing how many companies are interested.

"That fact that we've heard nothing from the Government, despite the latest stage in the process being closed, well and truly before Christmas, the fact the industry themselves are raising concerns themselves with the Government, indicates it's going to be very difficult for the Government to deliver on this commitment," she said.

"The deafening silence that's coming from the Baillieu, Liberal National Government, over the connection of towns to the gas network, as promised by the Government some time ago, must be really worrying for those communities that have been hanging on."

The Government says companies are interested in the $100 million bounty, it just cannot say how many.

A spokesman for the Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Peter Ryan, says the Government is working through expressions of interest.

He says discussing the details would breach commercial-in-confidence.

He says the Government is committed to regional Victoria and an announcement could be made in the next few months.